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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i am using this medium to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- pchanik22@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "RAWLS, DELPHINE O." <drawls@bensalemsd.org>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:31:39 -0400
Subject:
Good day,
I am Mr Patrick Chan the Executive director of Hang Seng Bank based in Hong Kong. I have a lucritive business transaction worth $16.7M which was owned by one of my late client who died in a gastly motor accident with the son. I have tried to trace any member of the family to stand as the next of kin but to no avail.I am using this medium to contact you if you can assist me in the transfer of the fund. Note i will use my position in the office to prepare every legal document that will place you as the bonafide owner of the fund. If you are interested please you have to contact me via my most confidential email address below : pchanik22@yahoo.com.hk
Regards,
Patrick Chan.
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
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Anti-fraud resources:
